How Different Is Medical Marijuana From Recreational Marijuana? Find Here!

Cannabis, or marijuana, has been legalized for medical use in more than half of the states in the US. The plant contains more than a hundred chemical compounds, which are together known as cannabinoids. Of these, two compounds, called CBD (short for cannabidiol) and THC (short for Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol), are known to be great for medical purposes. Now, you may also hear a term called ‘recreational marijuana’, which basically refers to marijuana that’s sold for recreation or fun. Here’s more on what you need to know.

The basic difference

As mentioned, recreational marijuana is used for recreation, which means you don’t need to have a prescription to buy. In the US, nine states have legalized recreational marijuana, while 30 states have approved marijuana for medical use. For example, if you check for the best Fort Collins dispensary, you will find that many of them sell both medical and recreational marijuana. One big difference also lies in the amount of medical marijuana you can buy, which is usually mentioned in the prescription. As far as contents are concerned, medical marijuana and recreational marijuana are the same, and in states, where marijuana has been legalized, you can buy both from a regular dispensary.

Do I need medical marijuana?

Your doctor is the best person to answer that. Typically, medical marijuana is used for conditions like cancer, Crohn’s disease, Alzheimer’s disease and other mental health related conditions, such as posttraumatic stress disorder or even schizophrenia. In all fairness, the applications of medical cannabis require more studies and research. Based on current information, it is known that cannabinoids have the capacity to reduce anxiety, pain and inflammation, and it can control nausea and vomiting. Some research also indicates that cannabinoids may have some potential in slowing growth of tumors and killing cancer cells.

About buying marijuana

The laws and rules related to the sale and purchase of medical marijuana are pretty strict, and unless you have a prescription, dispensaries will not give you the asked dose. In case of recreational marijuana, you must be at least 21 years of age or older and should have an ID issued by the government.

Responsible use

There’s a reason why marijuana hasn’t been legalized everywhere. Experts have their concerns as how people use the product, given that the high effect is quite enjoyable. In fact, the same high effect comes in handy in reducing pain and anxiety, especially in patients who have AIDs and cancer. Marijuana also helps in cases of appetite loss. As we discussed, responsible use of marijuana is something you need to be concerned about. Probably it isn’t as bad as many people claim, but how marijuana is eventually used for recreational purposes must be considered.

Depending on the state you live in, you will find many dispensaries that sell recreational marijuana. If you believe you have a condition that requires pain relief, talk to your doctor, who may prescribe medical marijuana, but again, that’s on the physician’s discretion, and you can only buy what is prescribed.